ALBERTA BEER FESTIVALS
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR
Alberta Beer Festivals creates the space for craft breweries and craft distilleries to share their stories, passions and products with consumers from Canada and around the world. We generate positive impacts on the craft beer and spirit industries, local charities, and within our community.
ALBERTA BEER FESTIVALS PRODUCTIONS
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL
The Calgary International Beerfest is not only Canada’s largest beer festival, it has grown to be one of the top 5 biggest and best beer festivals in the world. The CIBF brings together over 200 craft breweries and distilleries to showcase over 700 types of beers, spirits, ciders and meads. Hear great stories in the Brew Master Seminars, learn to cook and pair beer with food in the Cooking with Beer Seminars, explore the emerging craft distillery industry in the distillery district. Sample from 25+ amazing restaurants and eateries, enjoy the music & DJ stages, sports screens and other entertainment scattered throughout the festival. Most importantly, have an amazing time!
EDMONTON CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival has grown to be one of the biggest and best festivals in Canada, and is one of the fastest growing beer festivals in North America. The ECBF brings together over 150 craft breweries and distilleries to showcase over 400 types of beers, spirits, ciders and meads. Hear great stories in the Brew Master Seminars, learn to cook and pair beer with food in the Cooking with Beer Seminars, explore the emerging craft distillery industry in distillery district, sample from 15+ amazing restaurants and eateries, enjoy the stages, screens and other entertainment scattered throughout the festival, and most importantly, have an amazing time!
BANFF CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
The Banff Craft Beer Festival is the most beautiful beer festival in the world! This unique festival showcases the iconic town of Banff which is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Sample amazing food from some of Banff’s world class restaurants and eateries, and taste the best Alberta’s craft breweries and distilleries have to offer.
Benefits of Participation in ABF Events:
- Generate positive brand assocaiton in integrating yourself into a community of over 250 local businesses in Alberta’s rapidly growing craft beer and spirit industries
- Customize your booth space to fit your marketing goals
- Take advantage of the extensive media and communications campaigns
- Gain brand exposure to 100,000+ people at our 6 annual festivals
- Heighten your visibility through positive brand exposure
- Differentiate yourself from your competitors by aligning yourself with a world class brand
People who attend ABF Festivals are:
- Active in the community:
- 91% of whom say that they go out once a month
- 76% who say they go out once a week
- 68% home owners
- 32% renters
- People that lead an active lifestyle:
- 89% said that they exercised 2 or more times per week
- People with money to spend:
- 85% said that they had an annual average household income of $100,000+
- Brand Aware:
- An amazing 98% indicated that “YES”, they would be purchasing a product they had seen at the event
Thank you for joining us for the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival! Below are some important details about festival logistics and frequently asked questions. To ensure that you maximize the value of your participation, read this information carefully and share with your team!
Please understand that ABF must enforce all AGLC, AHS, Fire and Police rules and policies. ABF will continue to update this document to reflect policy and rule changes and share it with all participating vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Festival Dates, Times & Logistics
Dates:
March 6 & 7, 2026
Location:
EXPO Center, Northlands – Halls B & C
Industry Hour (no sample tokens collecting – industry only)
Friday – March 6th
– 4:00PM: Doors Open & Industry Hour Begins
– 4:59PM: Industry Hour Ends
Festival Sessions (sample token collection begins)
Friday – March 6th
– 5:00PM: Doors Open & Sampling Begins
– 9:00PM: No Entry
– 9:15PM: Sample Token Sales End
– 9:45PM: Last Pour for Alcohol
– 10:00PM: Event/Consumption Ends
Saturday Afternoon – March 7th
– 12:00PM: Doors Open & Sampling Begins
– 3:00PM: No Entry
– 3:15PM: Sample Token Sales End
– 3:45PM: Last Pour for Alcohol
– 4:00PM: Afternoon Session Ends
Saturday Evening – March 7th
– 5:00PM: Doors Open & Sampling Begins
– 8:00PM: No Entry
– 8:15PM: Sample Token Sales End
– 8:45PM: Last Pour for Alcohol
– 9:00PM: Event/Consumption Ends
When Can My Staff Set-Up & Take-Down?
Set-Up
Thursday, March 5
– 1:00PM Set-up Begins
– 6:00PM Meet & Greet Begins (offsite)
– 7:00PM Set-up Ends
Friday, March 6
– 9:00AM Set-up Begins (again)
– 4:00PM Set-up Ends (Industry Hour Begins)
Take-Down
Saturday, March 7
– 10PM to Midnight
– All items must be removed from the venue immediately following the festival!
– Please review and reference the End of Evening Shut Down Instructions
Exhibitor Staff Arriving/Departing the Festival
– All Staff Must wear an Exhibitor wristband to get into the event
– Staff will be at the Exhibitor Entrance to scan and distribute/check wristbands
– For late arriving staff meet them at the Exhibitor Entrance to give them their passes, or email them in advance
– Please do NOT drink & drive
What Does The Venue Charge For Parking?
– You must pay for parking at the Edmonton Expo Centre as an Exhibitor.
– You can pay when you park or in advance – starting at $16.50/day, reduced rate for multiple days.
– Edmonton Beerfest vendors can prepay for parking at the link following: https://parking.honkmobile.com/hourly/zones/EXPOX
– Scroll down and select ”Edmonton Craft Beer Festival 2026” to buy parking for the whole show including move in/out.
What Does My Booth Space Include?
Each Beverage Vendor’s Booth includes the following:
– 10×10 Space (8’ pipe & drape black background)
– 1 x 8’ table with covering and skirting
– 4 x Exhibitor Passes / Session
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #1 (Friday Evening)
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #2 (Saturday Afternoon)
Each Food vendor will be provided with the following:
– 20×10 Space (8’ pipe & drape black background)
– 2 x 8’ table with covering and skirting
– 1 x 1500v Power Outlet
– 1 x Handwash Station
– 1 x Garbage Can
– 1 x Parking Pass*
– 6 x Exhibitor Passes / Session
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #1 (Friday Evening)
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #2 (Saturday Afternoon)
Each NSV vendor will be provided with the following:
– 10×10 Space (8’ pipe & drape black background)
– 1 x 8’ table with covering and skirting
– 4 x Exhibitor Passes / Session
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #1 (Friday Evening)
– 6 x Promo Passes for Session #2 (Saturday Afternoon)
How Do I Order Additional Items For My Booth Space?
The following additional items can be ordered prior to the event (additional charges apply)…
– Electrical/Power: thru Expresso by SHOWTECH (order by Thursday, February 12 for Best Pricing)
– Banner Hanging: (from the ceiling) thru Expresso by SHOWTECH (order by Thursday, February 12 for Best Pricing)
– Additional tables, chairs: please review Global Convention Exhibitor Kit – see page 7 for order form (ordering deadline March 3, 2026)
How Do Sample Tokens Work?
– Both festivals are strictly sampling events.
– All samples must be exchanged for sample tokens and no cash sales are permitted.
– Maximum Sample Sizes:
– Beer, Cider, RTDs – 4 ounces
– Spirits – ½ ounce
– Sample tokens are $1.00 each.
– Minimum of 2 tokens per sample.
– ABF will collect the sample tokens from vendors at the end of each evening.
– You will receive $0.50 per sample token collected.
– A breakdown sheet of sample tokens collected per session and rebate cheques will be mailed to each sampling vendor no later than two weeks following the completion of both festivals.
What Volume of Product Do Vendors Serve?
BEVERAGE – number of samples poured per session according to the 2025 festivals:
– Average Number of Samples Per Session = 600
– 1800 samples in total per festival
– Based on assumption that all samples were 2 sample tokens each
Note – this is an average! Some vendors will serve more, and others will serve less.
FOOD – number of samples poured per session according to the 2025 festivals:
– Average Number of Samples Per Session = 500
– 1500 samples in total per festival
– Based on assumption that all samples were 3 sample tokens each
Note – this is an average! Some vendors will serve more, and others will serve less.
Attendance for the Calgary and Edmonton Beerfests can be up to 40,000 over the weekend – both shows will be very busy!
How Do Vendors Order Products?
ABF is proud to have Sobeys Liquor and Safeway Liquor as our Title Sponsors and Liquor Store Partners! Below is the Order Form to complete when submitting your liquor order.
Only vendors that order products through Sobeys Liquor will have access to cold storage.
Why Should You Order Through Sobeys Liquor?
FREE access to the Sobeys/Safeway Liquor reefer trailer to keep your product cold!
Important Steps:
Vendors ordering through Sobeys Liquor need to complete and submit the Sobeys Liquor Order Form
– Download a copy of the Sobeys Liquor Order Form
– Complete the Liquor Order Form & email it to beerfest@sobeys.com
*All orders must be submitted and paid for by 4:00pm Friday February 20, 2026
Return Product (post-event)
– Please email the email address that you placed your order with to request return.
– Include quantity and description as well as order code.
– Sobeys will assign a location once all returns have been assessed.
– No excess product left at venue – No Exceptions
How Does The Industry Hour Work?
– A unique opportunity for vendors (you) to network with key decision-makers in the liquor and hospitality industries.
– Admission to the Industry hour will be free for owners and managers of liquor stores and restaurants.
– Showcase your product to owners and managers from local liquor stores and restaurants – please have your booth ready and staffed by 4pm on Friday.
– Food Vendors are not required to serve food, you can use this time to continue preparing for the consumer portion of the festival – which begins at 5PM.
Edmonton Beerfest Industry Hour
– EXPO Centre – Friday, March 6, 2026, 4pm – 5pm
– Feel free to share the below link with owners and managers from your network – they will receive their complimentary passes directly through Showpass!
– www.showpass.com/edmonton-beerfest-2026-b2b-industry-session
I Need My Product Chilled – How Do I Do This?
– All vendors that order product through Sobeys Liquor will have access to cold storage
– There is no cold storage available for vendors that do not order their product through Sobeys Liquor for the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival.
– There will also be ice available to order onsite at the festivals ($12 per large bag). Visit the Ice Booth at the back of the hall or text 403-560-4266
I Need To Rent A Draught Unit – How Do I Do This?
– Contact Craig Sorrette with Everclear Draught Services at least two weeks prior to the event everclear@shaw.ca
Can I Sell Merchandise At The Festival?
– These are sampling festivals and selling product is not permitted
Alberta Health Services (AHS) – Policies + Reminders
– All vendors must have hand sanitizer at their booth!
Who DOES NOT have to complete AHS Form?
– Beverage Vendors that are strictly serving alcohol
Who DOES have to complete the AHS Form?
– All Restaurant Vendors
– Beverage Vendors that are using garnishes with their samples (i.e. fresh fruit or vegetables).
Where do I find the AHS Form?
– Find a copy of the AHS form you can fill out online here
– Before you complete and submit, please review the Special Event Food Vendor Package
– Form must be submitted prior February 6, 2026
Alberta Liquor Gaming Cannabis (AGLC) – Policies + Reminders
– Be sure to read and understand all information forwarded to you by AGLC regarding festival participation.
– No minors allowed in the venue – this includes working at booths in any capacity!
– No consuming alcohol behind your booth for any reason.
– Products cannot be “pre-mixed” – all cocktail samples must be prepared on-site.
– All samples must be exchanged for sample tokens – no cash sales are permitted
– Maximum Sample Sizes:
– Beer, Cider, RTDs – 4 ounces
– Spirits – ½ ounce
– Sample tokens are $1.00 each
– Minimum of 2 tokens per sample
– Restaurants are not permitted to serve or collect tokens for alcoholic samples at the festival
*Proserve*
– All vendors serving alcohol must have Proserve
– All staff at beverage booths need to have their Proserve cards with them
– Vendor Check-In – All beverage vendor staff will need to show their Proserve at the entry point in order to receive their exhibitor wristbands and enter the venue.
Fire Department – Policies + Reminders
Tents/Canopies
– ALL tents and canopies must be approved for indoor use
– ALL canopies must have a tag (attached to the canopy) clearly indicating that it is approved for indoor use and has a CAN/ULC-S109 or NFPA 705 rating
– Be sure to have this confirmed prior to bringing your canopies to the festivals!
– If you bring a tent bring a smoke detector
Display Vehicles
– Must have less than ¼ of gas in the tank – no exceptions!
– Gas gauge must be functional.
– Please read and follow the Special Vehicle Guidelines
Be sure to read and understand the Edmonton Fire Department Indoor Events Guide regarding festival participation.
Restaurants – Guidelines + Reminders
COOKING
– You can re-heat on site.
– You are not allowed to cook meat from raw due to the lack of ventilation at the booths.
– Deep Fryers are not allowed due to the fire hazard and lack of ventilation.
FOOD TRUCKS
– Because you use propane, we would need to keep your truck/trailer outside and would provide you a booth inside the venue to serve your product.
– We do this with other restaurants each year and it works very well.
– Please note that these festivals are indoor sampling events, there are no cash transactions at our festivals – so you will need to collect sample tokens.
I Have More Questions – Who Should I Contact?
– Please email Mark Kondrat directly at m.kondrat@albertabeerfestivals.com with any questions or comments!
Registration
There are NO refunds on cancellations
Exhibitor registration will only be considered to be valid when it has been completed in full and processed by Alberta Beer Festivals Inc., including all monies to be received. ‘In Full’ means fully executed Exhibitor Registration Forms, and a signed & dated ‘Rules and Policies’ page.
CONFIRMATION
In order to ensure registration, please ensure that you have the following: Completed registration form, signed rules and policies form, as well as your final tally payment.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Calgary International Beerfest, The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival, The Banff Craft Beer Festival, and Alberta Beer Festivals Inc., Sponsors, and/or the host facility shall not be responsible for injury, loss or damage to persons, goods, equipment or decoration which occurs during the transportation of goods and/or other cause beyond the control of the organizers, who shall be in no way whatsoever liable.
RESTRICTIONS
The event organizer reserves the right to modify the layout and exhibitor spaces should the need arise. Further, it is agreed that the exhibitor will not in any way sublet booth space without consent from event organizers. It is also understood that the event organizers reserve the right to restrict, prohibit or evict any exhibitor who in the opinion of the organizer is reflecting unfavourably against the character of the festival. Exhibitors may not tear down until show close.
The registrant, by execution of this document by it’s authorized representative, accepts the terms and conditions as set out and agrees to ensure compliance by its employees, agents or representatives participating in the festival.
Any of the following represent an understanding and acceptance of these rules and policies: submission of an Alberta Beer Festivals registration form, a signed rules and policies form, paid registration, participation in the event or any other indication that the organizers of the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival deem to be acceptable.
The registrant further releases The Calgary International Beerfest, The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival, The Banff Craft Beer Festival, The Jasper Beer & Spirits Festival, The Revelstoke Craft Beer Festival and Alberta Beer Festivals Inc., It’s sponsors, the organizers, the volunteers, or the venue from any and all liability arising out of the participation in the events The Calgary International Beerfest, The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival, The Banff Craft Beer Festival, The Jasper Beer & Spirits Festival, The Revelstoke Craft Beer Festival and Alberta Beer Festivals Inc. and operation of the exhibitor of the registrant.
A SIGNED CONTRACT/REGISTRATION FORM ACKNOWLEDGES THE BELOW BEER FESTIVAL RULES & POLICIES
- There is to be no over-serving of alcohol under any circumstances. If you have a problem with any patron, please inform Security or the Police on site.
- Absolutely no cash transactions for alcohol are permitted.
- No free sampling. Minimum two tokens per sample.
- All persons responsible for the serving or handling of alcohol for an exhibitor booth before, during or after the event must comply with all provincial legal certification requirements and laws. [4oz. samples is the law]. You must have valid ProServe or Servicing It Right Certification or to pour alcohol and you must have proof on you at all times during the festival to show to Alberta Gaming Liquor Cannabis (AGLC) or BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
- Serving either prior to or after the specified hours that the event is open to the public is in no way permitted.
- With the exception of exhibitor beer bottles which must be emptied into the plastic sampling cups by the exhibitors themselves, absolutely no glassware is permitted anywhere on site or under any circumstances. NO FULL BOTTLES. 4 oz. samples only, to a maximum of two samples per person.
- Each exhibitor will receive event exhibitor passes emailed to them in advance of the event which must be presented upon entry to the event. Upon presentation, exhibitors will be given a wristband that they must keep on for the duration of that session. No exceptions.
- No refunds for any vendors who register for the festival.
- Exhibitors may not share booth space without the express written consent of the show organizers.
- Food and eatery booths must obtain written permission from event organizers before distributing alcohol in any form, in compliance with the AGLC or LCRB. They must also comply with all AHS regulations and can be shut down without refund for non-compliance.
- Exhibitors must disclose any and all beverages/food that will be sampled by the public during the event.
- All exhibitors must abide by all local health, safety, alcohol, fire and all municipal, provincial and federal laws at their own cost.
- A minimum of two staff members must be present in each exhibitor booth at all times to ensure both safety and quality.
- All exhibitors must maintain their booths in a respectable order. This means that all exhibitors are responsible for bagging their own trash and that all recyclables/empties are neatly bagged or re-boxed. At the end of each evening, all garbage and recyclables/empties must be placed in front of your booth for pick up.
- Booths must be fully operational throughout all posted hours of the event. Any exhibitor that tears down earlier than posted event times indicated on the contract will be assessed a non- negotiable $250/hour charge.
- The organizer’s posted load in, set up, and strike load out times must be adhered to without exception. Special arrangements must be adhered to without exception. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the event – minimum of one week from set up date. All additional charges for electricians, forklifts etc. will be charged back to that exhibitor.
- All exhibitors must have proper liability insurance in the amount of $3,000,000 (three million dollars) for participation in Alberta Beer Festivals events, and must name ‘Alberta Beer Festivals Inc.’ as additionally insured.
- Do have fun. Do NOT drink & drive!
- Non-compliance with any of these rules and policies will result in immediate fines.
Restaurant Registration
All Beverage Registration
(Breweries, Distilleries, Ciders, Meads, Agencies, etc.)
Non Sampling Vendors